Govt Denies Boko Haram’s Presence In Rivers …As IPSA Training Begins, Today

Th Rivers State Government has debunked the claim by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika that fundamentalist Islamic Sect Boko Haram is spreading to some states including the Rivers State.
The Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha disclosed this to newsmen while reacting to news report credited to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika that the sect has spread its activities to Rivers State.
The Army boss in a presentation he made before the 20-member Joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters set up to investigate the alleged extra judicial killings of eight persons who were suspected of being members of Boko Haram members in the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja said he has convincing intelligence that Boko Haram operate in the state.
Okocha stated that it was untrue that Boko Haram has spread its activities to Rivers State adding that there is no evidence to show the presence of the sect in the state.
He said such report was a ploy to heighten military operations in the state ahead of the general election in the state.
According to him, “despite lapses on the Rivers State Police Command, to curtail increase in criminal activities as a result of its dereliction of duty and involvement in partisan politics, the state is yet to receive any report of Boko Haram’s activities in any part of the state.
He urged the Military Formation to make its finding public and not to jeopardize the relative peace in the state.
Chief Okocha equally enjoined the investing public to disregard any negative report capable of classifying the state as a security risk or operational base of Boko Haram Sect.
Meanwhile, as part of government effort on the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) for Rivers State, a two week training programme for Heads of Accounts in Government, Parastatals and agencies will begin on Monday December 2nd and Friday December 13th 2013.
This is another noble step by the administration of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to entrench accountability in public service.
The Commissioner of Finance Dr. Chamberlain Peterside said that IPSAS focuses on the accounting, auditing and financial reporting needs of national, states and local government and related agencies.
According to him, IPSAS emphasises the role of technology in accounting and budgeting as well as helps to improve financial reporting, transparency whilst delivering the dividends of democratic government.
Addressing newsmen in his office recently, Peterside reiterated the tremendous benefits of this training programme towards a seamless transition to accrual method of accounting based on international best practices in Rivers State.
He appealed to nominated attendees and participants to prepare for the training as scheduled with the first batch starting on December 2nd to December 6th while the second batch will be from December 9th  13th at Tinapa Resort in Cross River state.